Starting a new bullet journal can be a bit overwhelming. So, if you need some ideas for pages to start with, here’s the basic set-up of my bullet journal. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Key

You can have symbols (indicators) for just about anything you want, but I’ve scaled mine down to just a few: appointments, tasks, holidays, and birthdays.

Index

An Index is like a table of contents. I don’t index my weekly calendars, just collection pages that I would like to refer back to later.

Future Log

There are several ways you can log future events in a bullet journal, but my favorite is the Calendex system. You can check out this video by Boho Berry for a more in-depth explanation of how it works.

Calendar Spread

You can do a monthly, weekly, or daily calendar, depending on your needs. Some people use all three! I’ve used different variations of these spreads on my bullet journal journey, and I’m sure it will change again in the future. At this point in my life, I’ve found that a one page weekly spread works best for me. You can see more examples of my various calendar experiments on my Instagram.

Looking for more info?

{This post is not sponsored by any company or Amazon. It does contain affiliate links to Amazon. Purchases made through these links support The Practically Green Mom Blog. Please see my disclosure policy for my information.}

If you follow me on Instagram, you probably know that I use a bullet journal for everyday planning, journalling, and note taking. It’s a very effective way for me to keep track of my daily to-do list, appointments, and more. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

What is a bullet journal?

The Bullet Journal was created by Ryder Carroll. It’s an analog (written) system of organization. You can use it simply as a calendar and to-do list, or it can be a way to express your creative side. For most people, it’s a mix of both!

What makes it different from a regular planner?

Bullet journals provide a more flexible way of planning. I’ve used Erin Condren and Plum Paper planners in the past, and the layout of a regular planner just doesn’t work for me. As a stay at home mom, I don’t usually have a lot of appointments or tasks on specific days, but a lot of things to do in a week. Bullet journalling allows me to create a new layout each week depending on what’s going on, or skip a week entirely (if we’re on vacation or something) without wasting paper. It also gives me plenty of space to make collections (lists) for notes, books I want to read, blog post ideas, etc.

Why don’t you just use your phone?

I use my Google Calendar all the time, but I like having things written down, as well. That’s how I kept track of things in high school and college, and old habits die hard, I guess. (Plus, literally checking something off a list is very satisfying. Lol)

Looking for more info?

{This post is not sponsored by any company or Amazon. It does contain affiliate links to Amazon. Purchases made through these links support The Practically Green Mom Blog. Please see my disclosure policy for my information.}

This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Lavender essential oil is probably one of the most popular due to its use in mainstream cosmetics, such as soaps and lotions. It’s also one of my favorites!

Lavender Oil (Lavandula angustifolia) has a pleasant floral scent. The oil is extracted from the flowers of the lavender plant using steam distillation. It blends well with many oils, including Bergamot, Clove, and Lemon.

Benefits & Uses

Lavender Oil has many therapeutic properties. It soothes skin that has been irritated by bug bites and sunburn, promotes calm and relaxation (I really enjoy diffusing it before bedtime), and can help heal minor cuts, scrapes, and bruises. It is safe to diffuse around children 6 months and older, and safe for topical use on children age 2 and older. (Always follow proper dilution guidelines for children.)

Cautions

A 2007 report states that there is a possible connection between Lavender oil and breast growth in young boys. I looked into the report and found no cause for alarm, but thought it was worth mentioning for those who might be concerned and want to research it further.

If you’re interested in learning more about essential oils, click here for more blog posts and book recommendations.

Disclaimer: The information contained on The Practically Green Mom represents the choices I have made to take charge of my own health and that of my family. Statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products on this site are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using these products.

{This post is not sponsored by any company or Amazon. It does contain affiliate links to Amazon.com. Purchases made through these links support The Practically Green Mom Blog. Please see my disclosure policy for my information.}

As I was doing research on Lavender essential oil for my next EO Info post, I was informed that it “causes early puberty” and I “should never use it around (my) kids”.

Being the lavender lover that I am (it is the oil I use the most), I was very surprised (and skeptical) about this. I’ve been researching and using oils for years. The information I share here comes from certified aromatherapists and experts in essential oil usage and safety. How could I not have heard about this?!

The report this person was referring to is in a 2007 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. (Which explains why I knew nothing about it, as I was not using essential oils 11 years ago…) It “conclude(s) that repeated topical exposure to lavender and tea tree oils probably caused prepubertal gynecomastia (breast growth) in these boys.”

I have a few concerns about this “conclusion”:

The report only had three case studies, which seems like a very small number of cases to make such a big assumption.

While the in-vitro studies they did in conjunction with the case studies show a “weak estrogenic” effect, is this an accurate portrayal of the effect of on a warm-blooded human?

Each of the three boys used a product “containing Lavender oil” (healing balm, styling gel/shampoo, soap/lotion). What other chemicals (Parabens, Phthalates, etc.) were in those products?

There has not been another study replicating these results in a medical publication in the past 10 years (to my knowledge). In fact, this 2013 study involving topical application of pure lavender oil and rats concluded there was “no evidence of estrogenic activity”.

As it turns out, the report has been widely criticized over the years. In 2013, Robert Tisserand (who has been studying the safety of essential oils for over 40 years) wrote a detailed explanation of the report, and in it, states that “any connection with either lavender or tea tree oil is unproven.”

Based on the information I currently have, I don’t feel like there is enough evidence against lavender essential oil for me to stop using it on my children. But, this should serve as a reminder that essential oils are relatively new to mainstream society, and there are very few long term studies regarding their safety. It is up to you to do your own research and make the best decision for your family.

Disclaimer: The information contained on The Practically Green Mom represents the choices I have made to take charge of my own health and that of my family. Statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products on this site are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using these products.

Cypress Oil (Cupressus sempervirens) has a fresh, woodsy scent. The oil is extracted from the needles of the Cypress tree using a process called steam distillation. It blends well with Frankincense, Lemon, and Tea Tree oils.

Benefits & Uses

Cypress oil supports a healthy respiratory system, and is a child-safe alternative to Eucalyptus oil. It has been shown to improve circulation, and can be used to treat varicose veins and cellulite. The soothing aroma may relieve anxiety and promote emotional well-being during times of sadness and grief.

Cautions

If you’re interested in learning more about essential oils, click here for more blog posts and book recommendations.

Disclaimer: The information contained on The Practically Green Mom represents the choices I have made to take charge of my own health and that of my family. Statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products on this site are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using these products.

{This post is not sponsored by any company or Amazon. It does contain affiliate links to Amazon.com. Purchases made through these links support The Practically Green Mom Blog. Please see my disclosure policy for my information.}

This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Welcome to my new blog series, EO Info! These posts will go more in depth on individual essential oils, including how they’re made and the benefits they provide. I’m starting off the series with Eucalyptus oil, which is popular in germ fighting blends (that are used a lot this time of year), and one that I get questions about fairly often.

Eucalyptus Oil (Eucalyptus globulus) has a strong, herbal scent. The oil is extracted from the leaves of the Eucalyptus tree (yes, the one that koalas eat) using a process called steam distillation. It blends well with Frankincense, Lavender, and Lemon oils.

Benefits & Uses

Eucalyptus is anti-microbial, and supports the respiratory and muscular systems. It is often used in DIY cleaning products, to ease breathing and alleviate cold symptoms (such as coughs and nasal congestion), and to soothe muscle aches.

Cautions

It is NOT recommended to use in any capacity (diffusion or topically) with children under 10, or people with breathing disorders (such as asthma and COPD). Eucalyptus has a high cineole content, and has been known to actually cause respiratory distress (rather than benefits) in young children and people with breathing problems.

If you’re interested in learning more about essential oils, click here for more blog posts and book recommendations.

Disclaimer: The information contained on The Practically Green Mom represents the choices I have made to take charge of my own health and that of my family. Statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products on this site are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using these products.

{This post is not sponsored by any company or Amazon. It does contain affiliate links to Amazon.com. Purchases made through these links support The Practically Green Mom Blog. Please see my disclosure policy for my information.}

This post contains referral links, and I may receive compensation if you sign up for this service via those links.

We all buy groceries and drugstore products, right? But did you know that there’s an easier way to make or save money than by clipping coupons or searching for the best deal in the weekly ads?

With Ibotta, you go shopping like normal at stores such as Kroger, Target, or Whole Foods (just to name a few!)

Then open the app, and select the products you purchased. The products change weekly, and often include cash back on “any brand” (including store brands) of popular items like bread and milk, and cash back on “any item” (buy anything and scan your receipt!)

Once you have all of your selections made, scan the item barcodes, and take a picture of your receipt.

The money you earn goes straight to your Ibotta account. When you reach $20, you can withdraw the money to your PayPal account to use on whatever you like!

Using Ibotta has helped me make a little extra cash from my grocery shopping, without the hassle of coupons. Sign up today and start making money, too!

{This post is not sponsored by Ibotta, but it does contain referral links, which support The Practically Green Mom Blog. Please see my disclosure policy for my information.}

It’s been tough getting back into the swing of things since the holidays. My Kindergartener finally went back to school last week, and I basically gave myself an additional week off to recover (hahaha).

But, as you can see, I’ve been doing some work behind the scenes here. A blog redesign has been on my to-do list for a long time, but it just seemed so daunting! Last week, I finally decided it was time to get this done as a fresh start to 2018!

(It looks good on mobile phones and tablets, too!)

Many thanks to Pretty Darn Cute Design for the beautiful design and step-by-step installation tutorials! I couldn’t have done it without you!